Choral Library Legacy Project

The SCF Choral Library is a true Saskatchewan treasure. Begun as a dream of the original founders of the Choral Federation, the library now has more than 10,000 vocal scores. It is the largest choral library in Canada and gives a permanent home to scores both new and long-treasured but unable to be maintained by choral organizations across the province.

The SCF Board of Directors has designated the revitalization of the Choral Library as a 30th Anniversary Legacy Project. Revitalization plans include the creation of an open library for members to visit and review genre-specific compilations of choral music. The new library will have a keyboard where members can play selections to determine suitability for their choirs. We’re also looking at ways to expand open hours to include Saturdays.

The Board has approved the lease of additional space to get the revitalization started. Shelving has been erected and volunteers and staff have worked more than 2,000 hours to review and catalogue all SCF music holdings. The focus in 2010-11 will be the completion of the choral music catalogues to make perusal of the library holdings easier and more accessible.

Now we need your help. Financially, this has been a big challenge. In addition to increased operating costs for rent and internet access of $1,000 per month, the set-up costs for shelving and choral storage boxes is over $10,000. Labour to move, review, catalogue and shelve the Choral Library has cost nearly $37,000 for the first two years. We estimate another $10,000 will be required to complete the cataloguing.

We are making progress. To year-end 2009-10, more than $15,000 has been invested in the project by singers, music directors, choirs, businesses and organizations. A very heartfelt thank-you goes out to these special contributors:

Swift Current Oratorio Choir

Home Depot Canada

D Gress

Ursuline Nuns of Bruno

C Pirot

Moose Jaw International Band & Choral Festival

E Wright

D Taylor-Neale

J Thomas

B Clark

M Hupaelo

M McLean

J Nelson

P Frigon

R Hicks

W Goodhand

S Wilkinson

First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir

St. Stephen's Episcopal School

M Rogstad

T Soper

K Stokes

M Hill

D Bremner

G Fry

S Carter

A $50 donation will immortalize your name (or your choir’s) on a silver plaque on a Library shelf. Donations of $500 will receive a gold plaque recognizing the sponsorship of an entire Library case. If the opportunity presents itself, you may wish to involve your concert audiences through a ‘toonie’ collection, a 50/50 draw or some other creative fundraiser. All donations over $10 will receive a tax-deductible receipt.